Figure 2.

Artificial life simulation of a realistic protocell cycle incorporating a compartment, a minimal (single-reaction) metabolism and an information molecule (an eight-base string). Here, the initial aggregate (a) is feeded with lipid precursor droplets (yellow spheres) that coalesce with the initial micelle (b) and are then transformed into new surfactant molecules (c). Information-carrying molecules and precursors are also supplied and get attached to the droplet surface (d), where they can also replicate through a mechanism of template replication. The coupled reactions lead to growth and division (e). Computer renderings courtesy of Rayn Norkus, Bruce Damer and Steen Rasmussen.